Share This Story!

Glendale officer perfect example for use of force

I was very disappointed to hear about the mistrial in the former University of Cincinnati Officer Ray Tensing criminal case. Jurors had the choice of voluntary manslaughter or murder in the shooting death of Sam DuBose, yet could not reach a verdict.

Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

OPINION

Glendale officer perfect example for use of force

I was very disappointed to hear about the mistrial in the former University of Cincinnati Officer Ray Tensing criminal case. Jurors had the choice of voluntary manslaughter or murder in the shooting death of Sam DuBose, yet could not reach a verdict.

Although I have always been a strong supporter of our law enforcement across the country, there have been some disturbing cases of late where officers have used excessive force, resulting in the deaths of individuals who might still be alive, had those officers only used common sense and depended on their training, rather than take a life.

A perfect example of composure, compassion and unwavering training techniques was used by Glendale Officer Josh Hilling in May this year, when he was faced with a knife-wielding man on I-75. Although Officer Hilling initially shot the suspect after he pulled a knife, suddenly lunging at him, he showed extreme composure in what followed.

The suspect was able to get to his feet after being shot in the abdomen, he continued to threaten the officer with the knife, as well as begging Officer Hilling to kill him. Officer Hilling placed himself between the suspect and the oncoming traffic on I-75, continued to communicate with dispatch, and at times could be heard telling the man to drop the knife, to lay down and that, no, as the suspect requested, he would not kill him. At one point, Officer Hilling even tells the suspect that he wants to help him. Backup appeared on the scene, taking the suspect down without using excessive force, even though the suspect was armed.

The video from Officer Hilling’s bodycam caught the incident from beginning to end, showing once again just how important bodycams are for all law enforcement, and our citizens.

It’s glaringly apparent from the trial testimony that Officer Tensing had never seen this video, or otherwise he would have used discretion, common sense and put his training to use, not only to protect himself, but to also keep Sam DuBose alive. It is my hope that Prosecutor Joe Deters will hold Officer Tensing’s feet to the fire, and request a retrial. It’s the right thing to do. God bless the DuBose family.